AUBURN, Alabama -- Georgia is prone to give up a big play or two, and Auburn knows it.

The No. 7 Tigers (9-1, 5-1 SEC) have made opponents pay, especially in recent weeks, with big plays on offense and special teams. They'll likely need to do it Saturday (2:30 p.m., CBS) again against a Georgia defense that has given up its fair share of big plays.

"We're going to have to create some big plays," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "They're a defense that not
a lot of people consistently drive the ball on. So we're going to
need to do that too."

Auburn ranks second in the country in runs of 10 yards or more (100) and third in runs of 20 yards or more (30), according to CFBstats.com.

Georgia (6-3, 4-2) gives up most of its big plays in the air, however, and Auburn's SEC-leading rushing offense led by Nick Marshall and Tre Masonwill be tested by the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are the 10th-best run defense nationally on explosive run plays, allowing only 30 runs of 10 yards or more this season.

Receiver Sammie Coates, who caught two passes for 10 yards at Tennessee last week, can open the passing game for the Tigers, too. He's second in the country in yards per catch (24.92).

"They don't have to throw the ball," Georgia coach Mark Richt said of Auburn. "I think they can throw the ball and I think they can throw it well. We believe it. We're preparing for that. We're preparing for play-action pass, we're preparing for them taking shots and all those types of things good running teams will do to you."

Georgia has struggled on defense all season, ranking ninth in scoring defense (28.8 points per game) in the SEC.

There's also this: every Georgia opponent has recorded three plays or more of 25-plus yards except for Vanderbilt, which was helped tremendously by three special teams mistakes by Georgia. All three mistakes led to touchdowns for the Commodores, who won 31-27.

Auburn returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in its 55-23 victory last week at Tennessee.